The Safe Space Sisterhood CIC provides a safe, inclusive space for women aged 50 and over to connect, share lived experiences, build supportive peer networks and improve emotional wellbeing. The CIC seeks to reduce social isolation, increase confidence and create opportunities for women to support one another, share skills and experience, and work collaboratively towards greater social and economic participation. During the reporting period, the company focused on developing and testing its services. Activities included producing the original proposal for The Safe Space Sisterhood, securing support from Factory International, delivering a pilot event at the WOW Festival in May 2024 attended by 50 women, undertaking research with potential participants, gathering one-to-one feedback, building partnerships and collaborations, expanding networks, and utilising radio and podcast platforms to amplify women’s voices, experiences and perspectives. The founder also undertook a number of public speaking engagements that helped raise awareness of The Safe Space Sisterhood, engage potential beneficiaries and extend the reach of its message. These included participation in the Manchester City of Literature Embassy of Utopia event in June 2025, attended by approximately 100 people, and a panel discussion on Black Women and Music in The Diaspora in July 2025, attended by approximately 90 people. The formal launch of The Safe Space Sisterhood took place in July 2025 and was attended by approximately 90 people. These activities have benefited the community by creating opportunities for women aged 50+ to connect, share experiences, access peer support, develop new relationships and contribute to the design of future services. The work has encouraged collaboration over isolation, helping women recognise the value of collective action, shared knowledge and mutual support in shaping their futures and improving their opportunities for participation and economic independence. (If applicable, please just state “A social audit report covering these points is attached”).

The company’s primary stakeholders are women aged 50 and over, participants and potential members of The Safe Space Sisterhood, community partners, collaborating organisations, and supporters of the project. Stakeholder consultation has been undertaken throughout the development of the CIC. This has included research with potential beneficiaries, one-to-one conversations, feedback gathered through pilot activity and community engagement events, discussions with partner organisations, and ongoing dialogue through networking, public speaking engagements, radio broadcasts and podcast activity. The feedback received has helped shape the development of the organisation’s services, identify the needs and priorities of women aged 50+, refine the format and content of activities, strengthen partnership opportunities, and inform the company’s future operating and delivery model. We are currently in the process of refining our commercial approach, with further work required to establish an appropriate membership or pricing model that will enable the business to generate income from its services. At present, the business is not fully operational, as it continues to develop its operating model and define how services will be structured and delivered on a sustainable basis. We have undertaken a period of test trading to trial our offer within the market; however, no fees have yet been charged for the events delivered. This activity has provided valuable insight to inform future pricing and service design. (If applicable, please just state “A social audit report covering these points is attached”).

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration